Airport Health and Safety

Each year there are thousands of reported accidents reported within the air transport industry. Many of these accidents are major involving a serious injury such as a fracture.

Airport health and safety is the responsibility of Airport Local Authorities and the Airport Health and Safety Executive.

The Airport Local Authorities are generally responsible for health and safety of employees and members of the public in shops, restaurants or other retail outlets; common parts of the airport for example check in halls; offices; car parking facilities within the airport.

The Airport Health and Safety Executive is generally responsible for the health and safety of employees and members of the public in; all areas not mentioned above, for example work on or around an aircraft on the ground, workshops within the airport etc; Local Government, Police and Fire Authority employees.

The country’s Aviation Authority has a general duty for the health and safety of crewmembers whilst on aircraft.

The majority of accidents reported to Airport Health and Safety Executive occur during aircraft turnround and activities in the airside ramp. The main sources of accidents and ill health are: musculoskeletal disorders; slips and trips; being struck by a falling object; falls from height and workplace transport.